Lilly Highlights Transformation Strategy for Wall Street, Reviews Robust Pipeline and Sets 2009 Financia...(NEW YORK Dec. 11 /- -- Innovat ...)

    NEW YORK, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    -- Innovation and Patient-Centered Approach Expected to Drive Future
       Success
    -- Lilly Climbs into Top 10 Pharmaceutical Companies in Worldwide Sales
       and Is Fastest Growing in U.S.
    -- FIPNet Strategy Expands Global Reach and Improves R&D Productivity
    -- Company Aims to Reduce Cost of Bringing New Medicine to Market from
       $1.2 Billion to $800 Million by 2010.
    -- R&D Pipeline Boasts Unprecedented 59 Molecules in Clinical Development
    -- Investment in Biotechnology Capabilities Results in Expanded Large
       Molecule Portfolio
    -- ImClone Acquisition Creates Leading Oncology Franchise
    -- 2009 EPS Guidance Set at $4.00 to $4.25, Including $.30 to $.35 of
       ImClone Dilution
    -- Excluding ImClone Dilution, 2009 EPS Expected to be $4.35 to $4.55

At its annual meeting with the investment community, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today highlighted progress on its expanding pipeline of innovative molecules and marketed medicines, provided investors with sales and earnings guidance for 2009, and reviewed the transformation efforts that the company is making to excel in an increasingly challenging healthcare environment.

"Lilly continues to deliver strong financial results to our shareholders through an attractive combination of volume-based sales growth for key marketed products and an ongoing commitment to productivity and cost containment," commented John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Lilly's president and chief executive officer. "Our scientists are dedicated to maximizing the potential of our pipeline, which now boasts an unprecedented 59 molecules in clinical development, 40 percent of which are biotech-based. Lilly's success depends on innovation, and the promising molecules we are discussing at today's m
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